‘Bhaisaab koi aur fast bowler bacha hai toh wo bhi khila lo’ – Fans react to rumours of Scott Boland playing against India in the Test Championship final

Despite Josh Hazlewood’s inclusion into the squad as he prepares for the Test Championship final versus India, Scott Boland is the favourite to be Australia’s third seamer. Cricket Australia (CA) chose a 15-player roster that included both Boland and Hazlewood, with Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh as reserves. The 14th and 15th members of the team are backup wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and opener Marcus Harris.

The Test Championship final, according to Australia’s selectors, is a chance to honour the team’s two-year commitment. After stumbling upon a far more manageable set of fixtures throughout the first cycle from 2019 and 2021, they overcame a highly challenging draw that included Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India all playing away from home to qualify for the finale.

Boland’s performance over that time period in his seven Test matches has taken 28 scalps at a startling average of 13.42 and a strike rate of 36.8 which more than justifies inclusion. Hazlewood, on the other hand, was only able to participate in four matches during that period, taking 10 wickets at a strike rate of 29.7, though one of those matches took place on the decrepit Rawalpindi surface. Hazlewood departed the IPL early owing to side pain since he was unable to be selected for the three-match Test series in India because of an Achilles issue. In both of the previous two summers spent at home, he also experienced side strains.

He has previously stated that medical personnel and selectors must carefully consider when to allow him to return to action while he is still bowling, thus it seems doubtful he would be pushed in for the Test championship final versus India at the Oval, which begins on June 7. According to the rules stated by Cricket’s governing body, if Hazlewood experiences an issue in his recovery, he may still be changed in the squad, which means Michael Neser might still be called up in place of him.

Fans react to rumours of Scott Boland playing against India in the Test Championship final: 

Scott Boland set to play the WTC Final against India. (Reported by The Age). pic.twitter.com/5Ajao5HXl5

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 29, 2023

Iska Ashes ka debut yaad hain na? Daar lag raha hain..

— Gupta Anna (@annabhai2019) May 29, 2023

Hit the deck bowler, Wagner for last WTC and Now Boland may create havoc against us😬.
Averages just 13 in test, bettee than all trio pacers

— Aditya VK (@King_Kohli34) May 29, 2023

Australia will go with 4 fast bowlers, Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood and Boland

— Pankaj Uniyal (@uniyal_ranjan) May 29, 2023

It means Mitchell strac or Hazelwood only one will play 🤔🤔

— Anshul (@MufaddalThoda) May 29, 2023

Dropping hazlewood in big final knowing hazzelwood has great record against india may backfire but this lad Scott has some talent , hope he performs

— Mr echo free fire (@Mrechofree92602) May 29, 2023

set to be kyle jameison for us

— BackFoot || #AavaDe (@82_MCG_classic) May 29, 2023

🥲 Yar India me karo world test championship final match phir btate ha kaun ha bowlers Yeh to sale 🥲 4 fast bowlers with sewing Lyon Green

— Typing…. (@2prsn) May 29, 2023

He has been chosen over Hazelwood?? What so special about him?🤔

— Gyanu (@ImAmardeep007) May 29, 2023

Then they have to leave out Green or Hazelwood which either way is not that great #WTCFinal

— Rasukutty (@Rasukutty_Rtrns) May 29, 2023

Either starc or Hazelwood will be kept out of the team, good thing for India

— Puneकर (@ShrimaanAbhi) May 29, 2023